But that’s the beauty of this contest. Last minute is probably the best way to go. You can be sitting around the house before the meal is served, looking for something to keep the kids occupied while everyone else watches football, and throw together a fabulous table using things in the house in less than an hour.

My biggest problem with this contest is the inability to point to past winners to provide an example. But I do have one reader with a great story about how her child gave the Thanksgiving table a makeover last year. I’ll share that this afternoon.

In the meantime, below are a few frequently asked questions about Pimp My Card Table. I’ll answer any more you have in the comments …

Are there prizes? Yes, there will be prizes. There will be less than the Halloween contest, but they will be better.

How will the tables be judged? Like our other contests, it will probably seem totally arbitrary. Basically, we’ll know the winners when we see them. That being said, resourcefulness will be more important than technical mastery. Be creative, try to get the kids involved and when all is lost just do something that makes you laugh.

Do we have to decorate a card table? No. If there’s no little kids table, and everyone is sitting at a main table, you can decorate that. Or you can decorate a table that holds your food, or dress up a coffee table and put a few appetizers or desserts on it. Decorate the coat rack if that’s the only piece of furniture in the house. Just have fun.

How much do the kid or kids have to be involved in preparation? You have to have a child under the age of 18 involved. That being said, if they get bored and end up bailing on the project, you’re not disqualified. But please include that type of detail in your short write-up.

Do I need a theme? Definitely not. I’m hoping we get a couple of entries centered around a single theme, but I’m hoping we get a few with some random stuff thrown together as well. Whatever you do, try to do it big.

What’s the deadline for entry? Try to get the photos and write-up to me by the end of the day Friday. If you’re enjoying time with your family, then please wait. I’ll take entries up until Sunday night.

What’s with the name of the contest? I’m sort of regretting not picking something different than “Pimp My Card Table,” not because I think it’s especially inappropriate, but because I know most parents aren’t going to want to call it that in front of their kids. If you’d like, tell kids it’s called the Super-Crafty Thanksgiving Table Contest. Or something like that.

What kinds of photos should I include? The contest rules specifically state that you should send only two photos, so choose carefully. You can include a before and after shot, or a wider shot along with a close-up showing something on the table in detail. If you have an uncomfortable-looking grown-up squeezed in with the kids, PLEASE include that.

Thanks to everyone in advance.

PETER HARTLAUB is the pop culture critic at the San Francisco Chronicle and founder of this parenting blog, which admittedly sometimes has nothing to do with parenting. You can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/peterhartlaub.